Other Committees

The work of any union is primarily carried out by committees. The USFA is no different. We have three kinds of committees. Those that stem from the collective agreement and have representatives from both the employer and the union; those that are USFA standing committees or mandaetd by the USFA constitution; and those that are ad hoc and are created as they are needed. The following is a list of the current committees and a brief description of each.

The collective agreement recognizes service to the USFA as part of the equitable assignment of duties and can be included as contributions to the administrative responsibilities of the University for consideration in collegial processes. The USFA depends heavily on volunteers in all committee work, in the setting of policy and in the execution of proper procedures. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

For more information or to volunteer please contact the USFA office by phone (5609) or email (usfa@usaskfaculty.ca).

USFA COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEES

This Executive subcommittee reviews the terms of reference of all faculty committees, recommends the establishment of new committees, and recommends names of individuals for staffing of all committees.

USFA COMMITTEE OF TRUSTEES OF THE CONTINGENCY TRUST FUND

The purpose of this Association committee is to manage the trust and to pay extraordinary expenses or costs, expressly approved by the Executive, in connection with collective bargaining activity, arbitration or any other proceedings involving issues associated with the terms and conditions of employment of faculty members of the University of Saskatchewan. The Committee has four members and meets about three times a year.

USFA COMMITTEE OF TRUSTEES OF THE VGLI TRUST FUND

The Voluntary Group Life Insurance trust fund was formed to deal with funds received as rebate from the University of Saskatchewan Voluntary Group Life Insurance Policy. The purpose of the trust is to offset premium increases or to provide other benefits expressly authorized by the Executive of the Faculty Association to all members of the University of Saskatchewan Voluntary Group Life Insurance plan.

USFA COMMITTEE ON THE STATUS OF VISIBLE MINORITIES

This Association committee arose from the need to promote the Non-Discrimination Article of the Collective Agreement (Article 7) and to promote harmony on campus. It examines the needs of particular visible minority groups; acts as a contact group for visible minority members and educates members of the bargaining unit about minority issues on campus.

USFA COMMITTEE ON WOMEN'S ISSUES

This committee acts as an initial contact and support group for female members of the Faculty Association, identifies women's issues which require attention, examines the needs of particular groups of female members who may be disadvantaged, and educates members of the bargaining unit about women's issues on campus.

USFA CONSTITUTION COMMITTEE

The purpose of this occasional committee is to review, revise and recommend changes to the USFA constitution. This committee consists of at least three members, two of whom are members of the Executive Committee.

USFA EXTERNAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE

This is an occasional committee with a mandate to develop public awareness about educational issues and to establish a liaison with other organizations concerned about education.

USFA FINANCIAL APPEALS COMMITTEE

Created in 2005 because of the increase in requests for financial assistance of a non-charitable nature, this committee of three considers all non-charitable requests for financial assistance referred to it by the Executive and decides on the amount of financial assistance the USFA should provide.

USFA GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE

The Association Grievance Committee (AGC) receives and reviews complaints from members of the Association, advises which cases should be pursued at the Joint Grievance Committee, and assumes ownership of the grievance pursuant to Article 29.2.

USFA OBSERVERS ON UNIVERSITY COMMITTEES

Under the Collective Agreement, Faculty Association Observers are required for the following Committees:

Observers have voice but no vote. Their purpose is to ensure the provisions of the Collective Agreement are followed. Observers are encouraged to make suggestions which they deem appropriate for changes in the Agreement or procedures that could improve the work of the committees.

FACULTY ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATIVES (FARS)

FARs are appointed by the Executive Committee to represent and to serve as a liaison between members of the departmental (or non-departmentalized Colleges) units and the Executive Committee. Each unit should have a representative. One important role is to ensure that correct procedures are carried out in department committees or in other collegial processes covered in the Collective Agreement. Another is to pass on views and suggestions about what matters should be included in the future negotiations.

CHARITABLE DONATIONS COMMITTEE

The purpose of this committee is to facilitate fund raising by payroll deductions from members of the Faculty Association. Members of faculty contributed to the world university service of Canada until 1964 when the Faculty Association established the Charitable Donations Committee.

COLLECTIVE NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE (CNC)

The CNC includes four Association and four Employer representatives. It has the authority to engage in collective bargaining, to conclude a tentative Collective Agreement with the Employer and to give notice in writing before the expiry of the Agreement to the Employer to negotiate.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD

The eight member EAP Board is comprised of representative from each of the Faculty Association, CUPE (Local 1975), ASPA, CUPE (Local 3287), three employer representatives and one external member chosen by the other board members. The responsibilities of the Board include the determination of policy for the Program, financial accountability and assessment of the effectiveness of the Program. The Joint Stakeholder Agreement for the U of S EAP outlines the program structure. Visit the EAP website for more information.

JOINT BENEFITS COMMITTEE

The Joint Benefits Committee includes three members appointed by each party. It is an active committee which meets at least once a month. It was established in 2000 with primary responsibilities to deal with all benefits except pensions; to consider new benefit plans; to recommend changes in benefit plans to the Collective Negotiating Committee; and to seek to resolve complaints from members regarding benefit plans.

JOINT COMMITTEE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE AGREEMENT (JCMA)

This Committee has four Employer and four Faculty Association representatives who meet once a month. Authorized by the Collective Agreement (Article 33), its terms of reference include determination of issues specifically placed before it by the terms of the Collective Agreement; serving as a forum for the exchange of information, reviewing and where possible resolving matters of mutual concern.

JCMA CAUCUS

This body supports the work of the USFA representatives to JCMA by providing information and insight on matters before the joint committee. It is comprised of interested USFA members.

JOINT GRIEVANCE COMMITTEES (JGC)

The JGC has three Employer and three Association Representatives. It attempts to resolve grievances and complaints concerning terms and conditions of employment either as informal inquiries or through formal grievance procedures. It meets once a month. All discussions, position papers, documents, letters and other materials received by the AGC or JGC are confidential.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY

The University has set up one central committee with membership from all constituencies. There are four USFA members and there are approximately five meetings per year.

PENSION COMMITTEES

With the establishment of the Defined Benefit Pension Plan and Defined Contribution Pension Plan as two separate entities, the former AFBC has been dissolved and two new committees have been struck. Each consists of six persons, three appointed by the Board of Governors and three by the Association.

PAY EQUITY COMMITTEE

In 1998 the University and Faculty Association agreed to establish this joint committee with three members each to investigate whether pay inequities exist and, if so, to consider procedures, criteria and mechanisms to correct those inequities.

TRAFFIC AND PARKING COMMITTEE

Membership of this joint committee consist of two representatives each of the Employer, the Faculty Association, CUPE Local 1975, the Administrative and Supervisory Personnel Association, and CUPE Local 3287. Its responsibilities are to:

review the existing regulations;
consider the requirements and make recommendations for change in facilities, policies and regulations;
receive written complaints from employees;
report annually to the Association;
refer major amendments of the Parking Regulations to the Board and the Association for bilateral negotiation at the Joint Committee for the Management of the Agreement.

SASKATCHEWAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY TEACHERS (S.A.U.T.)

This committee for representatives from Saskatchewan universities has a goal to work together for the attainment of the highest possible standards of academic excellence in the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge, to be achieved principally through teaching, scholarship, research and public service.

Updated July 20, 2005